Fern Creek and Flood Zones?? (Louisville, Valley Station: transplants, insurance, homes)

[hlruns]

Hi again!
I have been looking at the Fern Creek area, and have heard mixed reviews. I keep hearing that it is an "interesting area". Does anyone have insight as to what exactly that means? Good, bad, and the ugly are welcome.
Also, could someone let me know where the flood zones are? I don't want to end up paying for flood insurance.

[nlschr0]

Originally Posted by hlruns

Hi again!
I have been looking at the Fern Creek area, and have heard mixed reviews. I keep hearing that it is an "interesting area". Does anyone have insight as to what exactly that means? Good, bad, and the ugly are welcome.

Hmmm - Fern Creek is in the border area between the "east end" and the southern suburbs. To be blunt, people in the southern suburbs sometimes stereotype the "east end" people as snobs, stuck-up, pretentious, non-native, etc. And the east-enders sometimes stereotype the southern suburbs as good ol' boys, traditional KYians, rednecks, white trash, etc. Fern Creek is one of the unofficial beginnings of the southern suburbs.

In Fern Creek, you will probably find that housing is cheaper per square foot than further east. Traditionally, there are more blue-collar families, and less transplants from out of the area. The area is predominantly white, although diversity is increasing. There are a lot of older ranch-style and tri-level homes but also several new developments. One of the nicest newer neighborhoods, with homes going into the mid-300's, is Glenmary.

Bardstown Rd is one of the main routes in the Fern Creek area, and the development there (esp around the Gene Snyder) has been booming for several years. Traffic has become a complaint of many Fern Creek residents, who like the new stores and restaurants but wish that there was less congestion. The offerings tend to be less upscale than further east, but there is a large Wal-mart, a buffet, several mid-priced chain restaurants, etc. Further out, the area is more rural and less developed. There are also pockets of area within the heart of Fern Creek that still have a more rural feel (like along Watterson Trail and Fairground Rd) but development is steadily approaching.

It is pretty accessible, with easy access to both sides of town via the Gene Snyder, and I-65 and even the Watterson aren't too far.

My guess is that you'll find the area to be more conservative than others further east in Louisville, and more "red-blooded" American with flags flying in the yards and a commitment to buying Ford trucks to support the Louisville plant.

[hlruns]

Any advice on flood zones??

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by nlschr0

Hmmm - Fern Creek is in the border area between the "east end" and the southern suburbs. To be blunt, people in the southern suburbs sometimes stereotype the "east end" people as snobs, stuck-up, pretentious, non-native, etc. And the east-enders sometimes stereotype the southern suburbs as good ol' boys, traditional KYians, rednecks, white trash, etc. Fern Creek is one of the unofficial beginnings of the southern suburbs.

In Fern Creek, you will probably find that housing is cheaper per square foot than further east. Traditionally, there are more blue-collar families, and less transplants from out of the area. The area is predominantly white, although diversity is increasing. There are a lot of older ranch-style and tri-level homes but also several new developments. One of the nicest newer neighborhoods, with homes going into the mid-300's, is Glenmary.

Bardstown Rd is one of the main routes in the Fern Creek area, and the development there (esp around the Gene Snyder) has been booming for several years. Traffic has become a complaint of many Fern Creek residents, who like the new stores and restaurants but wish that there was less congestion. The offerings tend to be less upscale than further east, but there is a large Wal-mart, a buffet, several mid-priced chain restaurants, etc. Further out, the area is more rural and less developed. There are also pockets of area within the heart of Fern Creek that still have a more rural feel (like along Watterson Trail and Fairground Rd) but development is steadily approaching.

It is pretty accessible, with easy access to both sides of town via the Gene Snyder, and I-65 and even the Watterson aren't too far.

My guess is that you'll find the area to be more conservative than others further east in Louisville, and more "red-blooded" American with flags flying in the yards and a commitment to buying Ford trucks to support the Louisville plant.

When was the last time you were in Fern Creek? It does have a few of those stereotypes, but boy has it changed alot! I have not seen too many "rural" areas around Fern Creek. There is some undeveloped land and what not, but you won't find farms or cows in that area. Even as you go towards Mount Washington, there is subdivisions being built on bluffs all the way to Mount Washington (which IMO is the "new Fern Creek").

Your point is understood though. Fern Creek is the place to look if you want the "east end lifestyle" at half the price. In the same way, Germantown is the hot area to look for those who want the Highlands lifestyle and cannot afford it. I would not describe the area as Ford driving blue bloods. I think that description fits Okolona, and most definitely the west of Fairdale towards the Dixie Hwy area (PRP, Valley, etc). Fern Creek is really your typical mid america, middle class suburb. Typical is the word to describe it.

I have never heard of flooding in Fern Creek. I think it is out of the river flood plain, it is over 15 miles from downtown and the river once you get past Glenmary.

[hlruns]

for the feedback!!

[nlschr0]

Originally Posted by stx12499

When was the last time you were in Fern Creek?

Last week actually It is where my husband's family lives - they have owned properties throughout the area there for about 25 years, so we've spent a LOT of time there. And for the most part, they are all proud, Ford truck driving, "red-blooded" Americans. (as are many of their neighbors). My father-in-law also owns a Camry, but he still isn't super happy about it. When I let my husband read my post earlier, he smiled and said, "Yep!"

I agree - Fern Creek is a good place to consider if you want a middle class, safe, suburban area with a range of housing at relatively affordable prices. However, the original poster asked why she was getting mixed reviews, and I am fairly certain that it is because of the reasons I explained in my orginal posting. To me, Fern Creek has a much different feel or "vibe" than almost any of the east end neighborhoods where I have family - and many of their residents prefer it that way.

To clarify, I would also agree the there are no true "rural" areas within Fern Creek (although there still are farms with cattle - I know the owners of one). Once you leave the immediate Bardstown Rd area, there are still areas of older homes on large lots, some open green spaces, and there is even a horse or cow to be seen. As I said before, though, growth is pretty rapid in the area so I wouldn't consider Fern Creek if you want pastoral charm.

Also, I didn't mention it earlier, but the schools don't have the best ratings in the county. The high school is traditional, which is a plus for some families. Again, they aren't terrible schools, but they aren't the best either.

If you want to get a good feel of the area, head to the Wal-mart on a Saturday (or the Kroger up the street). Personally, I think that the best glimpses of any area can be seen on a Saturday afternoon when the local families are shopping for groceries! It pretty much brings a sampling of the whole community together.

[nlschr0]

Oops - forgot to say that I am also not aware of any major flooding in the area, but I don't know the official flood plain area.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by nlschr0

Last week actually It is where my husband's family lives - they have owned properties throughout the area there for about 25 years, so we've spent a LOT of time there. And for the most part, they are all proud, Ford truck driving, "red-blooded" Americans. (as are many of their neighbors). My father-in-law also owns a Camry, but he still isn't super happy about it. When I let my husband read my post earlier, he smiled and said, "Yep!"

I agree - Fern Creek is a good place to consider if you want a middle class, safe, suburban area with a range of housing at relatively affordable prices. However, the original poster asked why she was getting mixed reviews, and I am fairly certain that it is because of the reasons I explained in my orginal posting. To me, Fern Creek has a much different feel or "vibe" than almost any of the east end neighborhoods where I have family - and many of their residents prefer it that way.

To clarify, I would also agree the there are no true "rural" areas within Fern Creek (although there still are farms with cattle - I know the owners of one). Once you leave the immediate Bardstown Rd area, there are still areas of older homes on large lots, some open green spaces, and there is even a horse or cow to be seen. As I said before, though, growth is pretty rapid in the area so I wouldn't consider Fern Creek if you want pastoral charm.

Also, I didn't mention it earlier, but the schools don't have the best ratings in the county. The high school is traditional, which is a plus for some families. Again, they aren't terrible schools, but they aren't the best either.

If you want to get a good feel of the area, head to the Wal-mart on a Saturday (or the Kroger up the street). Personally, I think that the best glimpses of any area can be seen on a Saturday afternoon when the local families are shopping for groceries! It pretty much brings a sampling of the whole community together.

Look at this satellite image:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=...=1&sa=N&tab=wl


I would best describe that as moderate density suburban. I am not sure of the population density, but I could easily look it up. The densest neighborhoods in the city are around the Highlands at 12,000 people per square mile. if I had to guess, I would say Fern Creek has a density around 2500 per square mile. In other words, if you want any kind of rural lifestyle, this is not the place to be! Even if you are looking for an exurban environment, this is not your spot. You will have to go well beyond the to feel like you are truly "in the country." Just look at the satellite images and its easy to see what is developed (also the images are at least 3 years old).

Anyways, the SE portion of the county is actually the fastest growing. You can find "blue blooded" people anywhere in the Midwest or South outside Chicago. I would just say I would not call Fern Creek "redneck" by any means. I agree it may have that stereotype, but it majority is not. Okolona and even Highview get pretty redneck, and Fern Creek has an element of that, but lets just say if Valley Station is 100% redneck, Fairdale is 90%, Okolona is 60%, then Fern Creek is 40%. Just one man's humble inference. Like you said, many people of proud of their values they hold and I commend them for that. Now of those areas or bad or poor, its just a "mentality" like you said of family, church, ford trucks, and nascar

I guess that is just a personal opinion, there is no way to prove it either way except with anecdotal evidence.

I would never judge an area by Walmart, though. The kinds of people that store attracts regularly are going to be lower income people in general, no matter what city you are in. The Walmart on Westport Road or Hurstbourne has the same looking clientele as the one in Fern Creek or Valley Station for that matter.

[bobbyjewell]

Here is a web address where you can info on flood plain determinations for any address in Jefferson County. http://www.lojic.org/flood/user/index.htm

[hlruns]

Originally Posted by bobbyjewell

Here is a web address where you can info on flood plain determinations for any address in Jefferson County. http://www.lojic.org/flood/user/index.htm

The website has been very helpful!